Can Forum Signature Links be a positive thing?

[Zachary_Russell]

Hello,

I'm a relatively active member for a website support forum for the Genesis Framework - studiopress.com/forums. Right now I have a plain text signature, but I am thinking about linking to my website (a WordPress Development Firm) with branded anchor text. I understand the risk of Penguin for non-branded, keyword-heavy anchor text -- but If I do this with simply a link to my website's homepage or Genesis development page, do you think i'd be at risk?

Thanks

Zach

[Chris.Menke]

That's perfectly legit Zachary.

[Francisco_Meza]

I think you are alright, but watch your traffic in GA. Make the anchor text your brand name. "IF" you run into problems, make the href no="follow".

[Zachary_Russell]

I anticipate that I will get little traffic from this (my site is relatively low traffic as is). I do ultimately want to use it for another footer link that will promote a website that i'm starting that is focused on WordPress tutorials. That is my ultimate plan for content marketing

Thanks for your assurance.

[BrightHealth]

I wouldn't worry unless you already have 5,000 existing forum posts and a brand-spankin-new link profile.